The American dream

To the Editor:

Immigrants to this country might find a somewhat different future awaiting them than did their predecessors.

True, there always will be opportunities for the entrepreneur, but they continue to dwindle in number. Forget about home-building, as any resurrection of this industry appears years distant. And the small, cottage businesses that started in one’s garage, then moved to an industrial park or strip mall, seem a thing of the past. One only has to drive by a commercial area to witness the fading signs advertising a property for rent.

The best method to get ahead now appears to be in the public sector. Get an ever-increasing salary with benefits. And, upon an early retirement, drink from the ocean of pension funds our legislators have established for taxpayer-funded employees. It doesn’t matter that these taxes are breaking the backs of many struggling in the private sector, and will only continue to escalate.

Wait a moment. I thought that the reasoning behind the increasing compensation to our public servants is to attract the brightest. After all, they don’t want to be lost to that greedy private sector. You know, the one that is supporting the public sector with its tax dollars.

Maybe things really haven’t changed that much. Perhaps those who would rather teach than do are still in the public sector, contributing vicariously through support of their private sector counterparts. ither way, I would suggest that potential immigrant reconsider the move. The ocean is drying up.